Packaging station and method of operating a packaging station

Abstract

An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 dispensing a first container from a first container preparation system that includes a first container expander, the first container expander including a first transportation device and a first severing device; 
 opening the first container via the first container expander; 
 metering a first amount of product from a product metering device into the first container; and 
 dispensing a second container from a second container preparation system that includes a second container expander, the second container expander including a second transportation device and a second severing device, wherein dispensing the second container occurs concurrently with the metering of the first amount of product into the first container. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein dispensing the second container from the second container preparation system includes deriving the second container from a continuous length of container material. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein dispensing the second container from the second container preparation system includes severing a container material via the second severing device to define the second container. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
 transporting the first container away from the product metering device via the first transportation device and concurrently transporting the second container to the product metering device via the second transportation device. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein dispensing the second container from the second container preparation system includes expanding the second container via the second container expander. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein expanding the second container includes extending an inflator portion into the second container, expelling a pressurized fluid, and retracting the inflator portion from the second container. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein dispensing the second container includes receiving a container material between a first container material engaging portion and a second container material engaging portion, wherein the first container material engaging portion and the second container material engaging portion engage opposing outer sidewall surfaces. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of dispensing the second container includes manipulating the first container material engaging portion and the second container material engaging portion in opposing directions to partially open an upstream passage of the second container. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of dispensing the second container includes expanding the second container by expelling a pressurized fluid into the second container through the upstream passage. 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 dispensing a first container from a first container preparation system that includes a first container expander, the first container expander including a first transportation device and a first severing device; 
 opening the first container via the first container expander; 
 metering a first amount of product from a product metering device into the first container; and 
 dispensing a second container from a second container preparation system that includes a second container expander, the second container expander including a second transportation device and a second severing device, the second container dispensed by:
 receiving a container material between a first container material engaging portion and a second container material engaging portion, wherein the first container material engaging portion and the second container material engaging portion engage opposing outer sidewall surfaces; 
 severing a container material via the second severing device to define the second container; 
 manipulating the first container material engaging portion and the second container material engaging portion in opposing directions to partially open an upstream passage of the second container; and 
 expanding the second container by expelling a pressurized fluid from a retractable inflator portion into the second container through the upstream passage.